God, the greatest encouragement

When was the last time you felt like you needed someone to talk to? Sometimes you need an open ear. The greatest encouragement we have is the greatest listener, which is God. The way that God listens is through our prayers. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

The confidence of hope is expressed by John: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14-15). Jesus said the same when He remarked, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7–8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

God hears the contrite and humble in heart: “Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words” (Daniel 10:12). Conversely, God will not hear an ungodly person. Proverbs 28:9 says, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” God is not some distant Being in the heavens, but someone who loves us wants to be close to His obedient children. He wants you to be in contact with Him through prayer. Do you want to pray to Him and receive the benefits of answered prayer? Then obey His gospel and “come boldly unto the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:14).

Kyle Campbell